Louisiana Harvest of the Month – Locally Sourced Fruit and Vegetables in Schools

Louisiana Harvest of the Month is a pilot program to introduce locally sourced fruit and vegetables into cafeterias through the school meal program one time per month. The fruit or vegetable designated for that month is then highlighted with monthly materials. The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center administered the program in Louisiana partnership with three schools: a small urban charter (Andrew Wilson Charter School, New Orleans); a large urban public school district (Dufrocq Elementary, Baton Rouge); and a small rural public school district (North Bayou Rapides Elementary School, Alexandria).  Harvest of the Month posters for each month were developed for each item and displayed during the week of HOM. On the day during the HOM lunch, “I tried it” stickers were given to those students that participated in the taste test during that day. The program began in January 2015 and continued into the spring 2016. Students in 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grades were provided pre and post-tests both semesters in 2015 at all 3 schools. In addition, food service staff at the schools completed surveys each month on the HOM program. Pre-test data indicated that students preferred fruits compared to vegetables and many rarely consume vegetables.  Data from the HOM program will be presented including students preferences for fruits and vegetables.